Transmission



TRANSMISSION Filed April 28, 19 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I//l//l/l//A Oct. 1, 1935. J: s. SHARPE TRANSIIISSION Filed April 28, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 1935. J. s. SHARPE 2,o6,s2

TRANSMISSION Filed April 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet* 5 Patented Oct. 1, 1935 TBANSMISSION I John S. Sharpe, Haverto-d, Pa. Application April 28, 1934, Serial No. ?22,993

14 Claims.

lective multi-speed forward and reverse transmissions of a character adaptable for use in motor vehicles, and the object of the invention is to provide a novel transmission -of this type that shall be simple andcompact in form, inexpensive to manufacture and quiet in operation.

In the attached drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a 10 transmission mechanism, made in accordance with my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a section on the linej2-2, Figi 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a form of 15 clutch mechanism suitable for use in the practice 'of my invention.

With reference to the drawings, the mechanism 'in the illustrated embodiment comprises terminal shaft elements l, 2 and 3. The shaft 3 is hollow and embraces the shaft 2, and the terminal end of each of these shafts is provided with a clutch element designated respectively 4 and 5. Adj'acent its inner end asuitable bearing 6 is provided for the shaft 3 and the latter constitutes a hearing for the. shaft 2, the inner end of which is also journaled in the inner enlarged end 'I of the shaft I. This letter shaft is journaled in the' present instance in a bearing 8.

Fixed to the shaft 2 adjacent its inner end is a pinion 9 which meshes internally with a composite gear o, which in the present instance takes the form of a simple annulus provided both internally and externallyt with gear teeth. Externally the gear o meshes with an internal gear ll secured to a flange l2 extending from the enlarged inner end portion 1 of the shaft I. The composite gear ill is journaled eccentrically to the shaft 2 upon a rotary carrier !3, which r carrier is joumaled on the last-named shaft; and the carrier !3 has a transverse segmental arm or projection l4 which*is secured by stud bolts IS to an arm I 6 projecting radially from a sleeve l'l journaled on the shaft 3. 'A toothed 45. collar s embra'ces the sleeve l'l and is operatively associated with the sleeve i'l through the medium of an overrunning clutch l9. The collar |3 constitutes in itself one element of a dog clutch, the other element 20 of which, inthe lo form of an intemally toothed annulus, is slidablybsupported upon pins 2I mounted in the relatively flxed casing 22. The annulus 20 is provided at its opposite sides with trunnions 23, and these trunnions are respectively engaged in 65 slots at the lower etremites of arms 24, 24

This invention relates to improvements in sesecured to and depending from a rock shaft 25 suitably journaled in the casing and carrying on its projecting end an Operating lever 26, see Fig. 3. Through the medium of this lever 26 and the associated elements. the clutch annulus 20 5 may beshifted axially between alternative positions in which it respectively engages the collar !6, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and a third clutch element 21 keyed to the shaft 3. suitable means such as a spring -pressed detent 28 and notched segment 29 is provided for releasably retaining the shaft 25- in its alternative positions of adjustment in which as previously set forth the clutch element 20 engages either the collar !8. or the element 21. It will be apparent that one of the elements s or.2'| engaged by the element is immobilized and held against rotation.

The shaft 3 has at its inner end a fiange 30, from the inner end of which projects a series of wrist pins 3I. Operatively associated with each 20 of the pins 3| is a crank 32, and each of the cranks is connected with a pin 33 on the composite gear o. In the present instance, the pins 33 are integral projecting portions of the bolts which secure the journal fianges 34, 34 to the opposite faces of the composite gear.

In the normal operation .of the aforedescribed mechanism, the clutch elements 4 and 5 constitute a means for individually or simultaneously operatively connecting the shafts 2 and 3 to a source of motive power. Clutch mechanism suitable for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein the disks 4 and 5 are' shown embraced by a casing 35 which is secured to a shaft 36 connected to the source of power (not shown). The casing 35 35 has a radial flange 31 which lies intermediate and is adapted for frictional engagement with the inner faces of the disks 4 and 5. Adjustably mounted in the 'casing adjoining the outer faces of the disks 4 and 6 respectively are annular ele- 40 ments 33 and 39, and springs 4l and 42 confined between these elements and the 'walls of the casing 35 tend to force the elements against the disks 4 and 5, to thereby force the disks against the face of the casing flange 31 and to friction- 45 ally grip the disks so that the latter are caused to rotate with the casing. It will-be noted that the disks 4 and 5 are, in effect, splined to the shafts 2 and 3 respectively, and when the disks 4 and 5 are immobilized with the casing as described; the said shafts 2 and 3 are caused to rotate with the drive shaft 36. The elements 36 and 39 may be individually and independently retracted to release the disks 4 and 5 by means of levers 43 and 44, which respectively operatively engage members 45 and 45. The member 45'is slidably supported on the shaft 36 and in the casing 35, and its inner end is adapted to engage one end of a lever 41 which is pivoted at 48 in the casing and the other end of which engages a fiange 49 of the element 38. The lever 43 is actuated to advancethe member 45 toward the casing. It will be apparent that the element 38 will be retracted against the pressure 'of the springs 4| toward the position in which it is shown in the drawings, thereby freeing the disk t. The member 46 is similarly slidably supported upon' the shaft 3, and is operatively connected in like manner through a pivoted lever 5l with the element 39. By manipulation of the 1evers 43 and 44, it is apparent that the disks 4 and 5 may be either individually or jointly immobilized with respect to the 'casing 35` or may both be released from the casing, as shown in the drawings. When the clutch element 4 is engaged to the exclusion of the element 5, and with the clutch element 20 engaging the collar I 8 as shown in Fig. 1, the resulting rotation of the shaft 2 and of the pinion 9 will tend to rotate the compositegear o in the same direction upon its eccentric journal l3'. Thisrotation upon the journal l3 is resisted by the load applied to the shaft l, so that there is a resulting tendency to cause the eccentric journal member I3 to rotate about the shaft 2 in the opposite direction. such rotation of the member I3 is prevented by action of the overrunning clutch !9, so that the entire r otative force applied to the composite gear u is transferred to the internal gear ll and to the shaft I. Assuming that this rotative force is sufficient to move the load applied to the shaft I, the latter will be rotated in the same direction as the shaft 2 but at a relatively low rate of speed. If now the clutch element 4 is disengaged and the clutch element 5 engaged, power will be applied through the shaft 3 to the cranks 32, and through the cranks to the composite gear n, so that the latter gear will tend to rotate upon its eccentric journal in the same direction as the shaft 3. This rotation of the gearclo is resisted by the load on the shaft I, so that there is a reaction tending to k rotate the eccentric hearing member l3 in the opposite direction. Rotation of the hearing member in this direction, as previously set forrth, is prevented by the overrunning clutch !9, so that the entire rotative force applied to the composite gear o is applied through the internal gear H to the shaft I. Again assuming that this force is suflicient to move the load, the shaft I will be rotated in the same direction 'as the shaft 3 but at a lower rate of speed. The speed ratio between the shaft 3 and the shaft I under these conditions is lower than the ratio that previously existed between the shaft 2 and the shaft I.

Assuming new that the clutch elements 4 and 5 are engaged simultaneousiy and the shafts 2 and 3 are thereby jointly connected to the source of power, it will be apparent that the entire mechanism, including the internal gear ll, the composite gear I 0, the pinion 9, and the eccentric journal member I3, and also the cranks 32, will be locked and will rotate as a unit, thereby afifording a direct drive connection from the source of power to the shaft I.

If a reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft i is desired, the clutch element 20 through the medium of the lever 26 is shifted from; engagement with the collar a into engagement with the element 21. The clutch element 5 being disengaged, engagement of the clutch element 4 will eflect a rotation of the pinion 9 tending to rotate the composite gear o in the same direction upon its eccentric journal. 'such rotation of the gear ois n'ow prevented by reason of the fact that the shaft 3 is immobilized through the clutch 20-21. The resultant reaction of the rotative force applied to the composite gear o through the ,pinion 9 eflects 'a reverse rotation of the eccentric journal member |3 and the cranks 32, permitting the composite gear o to revolve without rotation in the same direction. This revolution of the gear n effects a rotation of the internal gear H, and hence of the shaft I, in the same direction, the speed of the shaft being at a reduced rate with respect to the rotational speed of the shaft 2. L The aforedescribed mechanism afiording a selective three-speed forward rotation of the shaft.

l and a reverse rotation is characterized by relative Simplicity of form and'low cost of manufacture; and by reason of the internal relation of the gear train consisting of the pinion 9, composite gear o and the internal gear ll possesses to a maximum degree the characteristics of quietness of operation, strength and durabilitsu I claim:

1. In power transmission mechanism, the com-f` rier, a rotary element constituting a terminal element at one end of the transmission, means for operatively connecting said element with the composite gear, a plurality of rotary elements constituting selective terminal elements at the other end of the transmission, and means for individually operatively connecting said last-named elements to said composite gear.

3. In transmission mechanism, the combination with an eccentric rotary carrier, of a com posite gear journaled concentrically on the carrier, means for controlling rotation of the cara rier, an internal gear concentric with the axis of said carrier and meshing with the composite gear, a plurality of shafts coaxial with said internal gear, and means ,for independently operatively connecting said shafts with the composite gear.

4. In transmission mechanism, the combination with an eccentric rotary carrier, of a composite gear journaled conce'ntrically on the carrier, means for controlling rotation of the carrier, an internal gear concentric with the axis of said carrier and meshing with the composite gear, a pinion coaxial with said internal gear and meshing internally with said composite gear, a rotary transmission member coaxial with said pinion, and means independent of said pinion for operatively connecting said member with the composite gear.

5. In transmission mechanism, .the combination with an eccentric rotary carrier, of a. composite gear journaled concentrically on the carrier, means for controlling rotation of the carrier, an internal gear concentric with the axis of said carrier and meshing with the composite gear, a pinion coaxial with said internal gear and meshing internally with said composite gear, a rotary A vidualiy operatively connecting said last-named i elements with the composite gear, and means !or o member coaxial with ina pinion,

,- and crank means !or operativeiy connecting said selectively controlling rotation of said carrier and oi one o! the last-named terminal elements;

i 7. In -tonmechanism, the combinetion with an eccentric rotary carrier, oi' a comrposite gear Journaled concentricaly on the carrier, a rotary element constituting a terminal ele-. ment at one end oi' the ton; means tor operativeiy connecting said element with the composite gear, 'a plurality oi rotary elements constituting selectiv, terminalelements at the other end of the transmission, means tor individualy operatively connectihg said last-named elements with the composite gear, and means tor. selectively immobilizing the said carrier and one oi the last-named terminal elements against ro'- tation in at least one direction. i

8. In transmission mechanism, the combination with an eccentric rotary carrier and means for controlling. rotation of said carrier, ot a composite gear journaled concentricaiiy on the carrier, a rotary driven member-coaxial with the carrier and compriing an internal gear meshing with said com'posite gear, a pair o! drive shafts coaxiai with the driven shai't, a pinion on one oi: said drive shaits m'eshing inte'rnally with said composite gear, and means i'or operatively con-- necting the other of said ,drive shafts with the composite gear. i

9. In transmission mechanism, the combination with an eecentric rotary carrier and means for controliing rotation' of said carrier, of a composite gear journaled-.concentricaly on the carrier, a rotarv driven member coaxial with the carrier and comprising an internal gear meshing with said composite gear, a. pair of drive shatts coaxiai with the driven shatt, a pinion on one of said drive shafts meshing internaiiy with said compositegear, and means !or operatively conmeeting the other or said drive shatts with the composite' gear, said connecting means comprising a plurality oi cranks.

` 10.` In' transmission mechanism, the combination with 'an eccentric rotarv carrier and means tor controlling rota'tion of-said carrier, oi a composite gear concentrically journaled on said carrier, a driven member coaxial with said carrier and comprising an internal gear meshing with said amare 2,

composite gear, a pair of drive shai'ts coaxial with the driven member, a pinion carried by one ot said drive shatts and meshing internaily with said composite gear, means tor operatively connectins the other of said drive shatts with the composite' gear, and means tor immobilizing said' second driveshait.`

11. In tron mechanism, the combinetion with an eccentric rotary carrier, of a comrier, a driven member coaxial with saidcarrier and comprising an internal gear meshing with said composite gear, a drive shaft coaxiai with the driven member and having a pinion'me'shing internally with said composite gear, a second 2 12. In transmission mechanism. the combinetion with an eccentric rotary carrier, of a conposite gear journaled concentricaliy on said carrier, mejans for controlling rotation oi said carrier, a driven member coaxial with the carrier and 25,

comnrising an internal gear meshing with said composite gear, a plurality oi' drive shatts, means for in'dividually operatively connecting said drive sh'aits. with said composite gear, and selective posite gear journa'ed concentrically on said carmeans'ior individually and collectively'connecting 30 said drive shatts with a source of 13. In transmission mechanism, the comuna-- tion with an eccentric rotary carrier, oi a composite gear iournaied concentrically on said carrier, means tor controlling rotation of` said ca'- `said composite gear, a plurality"of drive shaits,

means 'tor individually operativeiy connecting said drive shafts with said composite gear, selec- 40 tive means for individuaiiy and collectiveiy connecting said drive shafts with a source o! power,

and means for immobilizing one of said drive shaits.

14. .In transmission mechanism,` the combination with an eccntric rotary carrier, of a composite gear journaled concentrically on saidcarrier, a driven member coaxial with the carrier and comprising an internal gear meshing with said composite gear, a drive shai't coaxial with 'overrunning clutch inoperative. with respect to the carrier, and releasable means i'or-immobiliz ingsaid second drive shait. JOHN B. SHARPE. 

